Ecuadorian Sarsaparilla
Smilax febrifuga

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

Smilax febrifuga, otherwise known as Ecuadorian Sarsaparilla, is a perennial climbing flowering plant growing up to 15 m long. It can be found in South America particularly in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana. Root extracts of this species is used as flavoring in beverages, ice cream, confectionery, and bakery products. Medicinally, the plant is used against inflammation and itch, to improve digestion, and as an antiseptic. Plant decoction is used for fevers, digestive problems, kidney problems, gonorrhea, skin conditions, and rheumatism.

Smilax febrifuga is an evergreen Climber growing to 12 m (39ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Not known

S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Root extracts are used to flavour soft drinks ice cream, confectionery and bakery products.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 4

Ecuadorian sarsaparilla (the roots and rhizome) is a sweet, acrid, alterative herb that reduces inflammation, controls itching, improves digestion and elimination and is antiseptic. This is one of three species (the others are S. Aristolochiifolia and S. regelii) that gained a high reputation in the 17th century as cure-alls. They were widely imported into Europe until early in the 20th century, by which time their rather overrated reputation had waned somewhat. However, the plants do have a number of important medicinal benefits - in particular, their roots contain steroidal saponins which are an efective treatment for many cases of psoriasis; they also have hormonal effects, and may improve fertility in women with ovarian dysfunction. The rhizomes are alterative, digestive, febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of fevers, digestive disorders, kidney troubles and gonorrhoea. It is also used against scrophulus, skin diseases and rheumatism.

Acrid: Causes heat and irritation when applied to the skin.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Antipruritic: Treats itching of the skin.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in sun or partial shade. Tolerant of a range of soil types.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

ecuadorian sarsaparilla, sarsaparilla, sarsaparillae radix, sarsaparillewurzel.

Synonyms

Smilax purhampuy Ruiz